"Migration could place many people in a position of better access to resources for development. Indeed, well-managed migration has the potential to be an enabler of improved and integrated global, regional and national development strategies. This would require that our approach to human migration should move beyond a primary preoccupation with regulatory concerns to one in which we seek to optimize its development potential."

Mr. van Schalkwyk also addressed the importance of respecting the human rights of migrants as historically they have been subjected to discriminatory acts and policies, including expulsion and exploitation.